Noted author Mark Twain once said, "What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just isn't so." Those words are still true today, especially in the Natural Products industry. One such example is an issue faced by many customers who frequent health food stores. Specifically, the confusion some experience regarding the form and/or type of minerals that is best
to consume.

In our body, minerals are found in all of the 60 trillion cells that make up our tissues, organs, and fluids and provide both structural and functional support. For example, the primary component responsible for bone, teeth, and nail rigidity are minerals. Some minerals play an important role in enzymes and the enzyme systems responsible for regulating metabolic processes. Others help maintain the proper acid/alkaline balance required to sustain life. Still others help with nerve transmission, muscle contraction/ relaxation, energy production, cell permeability, water metabolism, and regulation of blood volume. Minerals also help support proper mood, sleep, cardiovascular function, and blood sugar levels. Plus they carry oxygen in the blood and work closely with certain vitamins as co-enzymes. In short, minerals help regulate and balance our body chemistry, and thus are responsible for nearly every metabolic function the body performs.

And the mounting evidence that mineral deficiencies are becoming increasingly prevalent, thus impairing the body's ability to carry out these important metabolic processes, has many health experts concerned. In fact, research shows certain mineral deficiencies are linked to several conditions common in today's society, including weak or brittle bones, blood sugar disorders, fatigue, depression, anemia, heart irregularities, enlarged prostate, and immune impairment.

So what causes mineral deficiencies? Surprisingly, the reasons are varied and complex. The level of minerals we get in our diet has dwindled steadily over the past 50 years, due to a lack of these essential nutrients in the soil and subsequently the food grown in it. These foods are often refined and processed, further depleting them of minerals. Then, when consumed, minerals require a sufficient amount of hydrochloric acid (in stomach) along with a properly functioning digestive system to be effectively absorbed. Given that approximately 40% of ALL visits to a physician are for some gastrointestinal complaint, you can see how the body's ability to absorb and assimilate minerals can be impaired. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can further reduce a mineralÕs effectiveness. All of these factors can lead to a state of deficiency that may go undiagnosed until a serious health concern develops.

The solution to reversing or preventing a mineral deficiency is simple: support the diet with good quality mineral supplements. What can be complicated is knowing a healthful supplement when we see it. It may be helpful to understand that minerals found in food and supplements are rarely by themselves. They are stabilized by being bound to something, such as amino-acid chelates, ascorbates, citrates, gluconates, carbonates, oxides, and sulfates. Each mineral has varying degrees of absorbability, and as they are introduced into the digestive system, your body attempts to cleave or disassociate the mineral from its bond (for example carbonate or citrate). The end result is that the body assimilates only the elemental or "un-bonded" form of the mineral.

These "un-bonded" minerals are classified as "ionic," because of the electrical charge they possess. When enough stomach acid is present, mineral are cleaved from the compounds bound to them and ionic minerals are created. This ionic form is preferred, as minerals can now enter and exit the cell easily.

You can make the ingestion of ionic minerals easier by consuming them directly in supplement form. One of the most complete and effective formulas of ionic minerals is Super D Calcium Plus from Pure Essence Labs. It not only contains seven ionic minerals: calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, boron, copper, and manganese, but 1000 IU vitamin D3, K2, B6, B12, folate, C, A, plus silica and ionic trace minerals. For those worried about swallowing pills, Super D Calcium Plus comes in powder, which mixes easily in water. Natural sweeteners like lo han and stevia combined with natural fruit extracts of raspberry and lemon are added for a delicious taste.

So the key to getting your minerals is knowing to select a good quality comprehensive ionic formula. It is that easy.

The claims made about specific products throughout this website have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise, or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. The product ingredients and images displayed on this website may differ from information contained on or in current product labels.